An unspoilt route to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro offering a different perspective.
Price: from £1495
Discounts available for 5 or more...Contact us
This is a private departure...just you, your travel partners and your guide. You choose the dates...we'll make it happen
Included:
Airport transfers, All park fees, hut fees, accommodation, meals as indicated, services of guides, porters, cook.
Not Included:
Visas, travel insurance, flights, tips, extra drinks, sleeping bag and items of a personal nature
Start: Moshi
Finish: Moshi
We are ATOL bonded and can organise flights. When enquiring please ask.
Flight prices start from as little as £500 flying to Kilimanjaro airport from a range of regional airports.
The Rongai Route approaches the highest mountain in Africa from the north and retains a sense of untouched wilderness. The easiest of all the routes, it has a relatively gentle gradient and short daily stages as it winds its way from the starting point just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. It passes through farmland and forest, past Alpine moorland to the beautiful summit cone. There are magnificent views throughout, with possibilities for wildlife viewing. The final ascent is arduous and made in darkness, but the reward is a spectacular dawn view of the glaciers and ice cliffs of the summit, and across the East African plains far below.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Moshi
Arrive in Moshi and overnight at our centrally located hotel. There will be an evening climb briefing at the hotel.
There are 2 international airports, Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) and Nairobi Airport (NBO).
Transfers from both of these airports are possible however we recommend flying into Kilimanjaro airport as it is closer and thus transfers are considerably cheaper and you avoid the need to obtain a Kenyan visa.
Day 2 – Simba Camp
Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
Hike time: 4 hours
Camp elevation: 2750m
After a short drive to the Rongai Gate through villages and coffee plantations we begin our trek along a winding track which weaves its way through natural rainforest harbouring a variety of wildlife. As the forest begins to thin we reach Simba Camp on the edge of the moorland zone with panoramic views over the Kenyan plains. The “first cave” is near camp
Day 3 – Kikelelwa Camp
Simba Camp to Kikelelwa
Hike time: 7 hours
Camp elevation: 3600m
We leave Simba Camp in the morning and continue ascending steadily to the “Second Cave”. We stop here for lunch with spectacular views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields before leaving the main trail across the moorlands in the direction of Mawenzi. We arrive at Kikelelwa Camp situated in a sheltered valley near Kikelelwa caves.
Day 4 – Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Kikelelwa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Hike time: 4 hours
Camp elevation: 4330m
A steep and steady climb up grasslands provides us with superb views before we leave the vegetation behind and arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Camp. Our campsite is below the awe-inspiring jagged spires of Mawenzi peak glistening in the sunshine.
Day 5 – Kibo Camp
Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Camp
Hike time: 5 hours
Camp elevation: 4700m
We head off this morning and cross “The Saddle” between the volcanoes of Mawenzi and the towering Kibo. As we cross the alpine desert the open landscape offers panoramic views with Kibo looming overhead throughout the day. You can eventually make out a winding summit path high above on the side of the mountain. The worlds largest antelope, the eland can be seen in these parts. Tomorrow is summit day so eat as much as possible today in preparation.
Day 6 – Summit Day
Kibo Camp to Uhuru to Horombo Hut
Hike time: 10 hours
Summit elevation: 5895m
We rise around 11:30pm for tea and biscuits and start the final and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight. After 5 or 6 hours of zig-zaging up loose volcanic scree we pass Williams Point at 5000m. Hans Meyer Cave at 5182m is next as we take it nice and slowly with regular rest stops to drink and catch our breath, however the severe cold makes is essential to keep moving. We reach Gillman’s point at 5685m in time for the spectacular sunrise. We continue to Uhuru Peak the true summit of Kilimanjaro at 5895m. We pass spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area, by the time we reach the summit the suns rays will have thawed our freezing bodies. Enjoy your time on the summit as you will remember it for ever more.
We descend for 5 hours to Horombo camp skiing down the scree. The descent is surprisingly fast and we arrive at Horombo camp, our final campsite at 3720m.
Day 7 – Descent
Horombo hut to Marangu park gate
Hike Time: 4 hours
Leaving Horombo Camp our steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara hut before continuing through lush forest on a good path to the park gate at Marangu.
We transfer by jeep back to Moshi for a hot shower and cold beer.
Day 8 – Moshi
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast
Extend your stay...
Zanzibar : Spend some time on the exotic island of Zanzibar. Dive and snorkel in the turquoise waters or sit back, relax and revel in your achievement.
Safari : You are in the land of the safari so why not stay a little longer and enjoy the abundance of wildlife on offer.
Mt Kenya : Fancy another challenge, climb to the summit of the 2nd highest mountain in Africa
Mt Meru : A great warm up to the mighty Kilimanjaro….recommended
Contact us for prices and further details